During a dental cleaning, your hygienist removes all forms of bacterial buildup from your teeth, allowing you to “wipe the slate clean.” Your gum tissues can heal from any damage caused by bacteria after this cleaning, as you continue to keep your teeth clean with the care you receive at home. Most dental cleanings are done by a dental hygienist. Before the actual cleaning process begins, they begin with a physical exam of the entire mouth. Dental hygienists use a special tool called a scraper to gently scrape plaque from the teeth.
While brushing and flossing your teeth at home is great, you should also visit your dentist every 6 months for a routine checkup. After removing plaque and tartar, it's time to do a deep cleaning. The hygienist will use a high-powered electric brush to remove any remaining tartar. This is a great option for any area that the climber may have overlooked.
The dental hygienist will use a high-powered toothbrush to clean your teeth, so don't be alarmed by the loud buzz. Once the teeth are completely free of tartar, the hygienist brushes them with a high-power electric toothbrush, which emits a grinding noise. It's normal for the hygienist to keep scraping a particular area, especially if that area has a lot of tartar. The hygienist can apply fluoride treatment to help your teeth fight cavities for the next two months.
However, depending on what your dentist or dental hygienist sees in your mouth, other tests may be done during your visit. Your dental hygienist can go deep between your teeth and locate any potential problem spots where your gums may bleed. The dental hygienist is usually responsible for the procedure, performing the scraping, cleaning and debridement (or removal of plaque). The dental hygienist uses a small mirror to check for signs of gingivitis (inflamed gums) or other potential problems around the teeth and gums.
If this is the case, your dental hygienist will pass this information on to your dentist so that you can determine how to proceed. Using a small mirror as a guide, the dental hygienist uses a scraper to remove plaque and tartar around the gum line as well as between the teeth.